1921
Creation of the Guichon company
Francis Guichon founded the “Mécanique et Manufacture de Cuivre et Bronze” in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie. A few years later, the company supplied the taps for the Aix-les-Bains thermal baths
1929
Birth of SERGOT
Beginning of the valves activity in the artisanal workshop SERGOT (specialized in industrial heating).
1931
1st SERGOT form Catalog
1st publication of the “Le Sergot” form catalog which covers all the technology of valves, pumps and industrial installations.
1949
Creation of Malbranque & SERSEG
Marcel Malbranque created the company in 1949 in the bosom of Houllières du Nord-Pas-de-Calais, to which it supplied high pressure valves.
SERSEG was born from the merger of SERGOT AND SEGUIN to meet the needs of the then market (Nuclear).
1964
Orientations on the cryogenics market
Study and development of the 1st cryogenic valves on the “Le Beauvais” demonstrator LNG carrier then on the 1st LNG carrier in commercial operation in France “Pythagore”.
1970
Schlumberger
The Sereg Schlumberger group through its subsidiaries (Compagnie des Compteurs and Malbranque) takes majority stakes in the SERSEG company in Ruffec.
1987
SNRI is born
Sereg Schlumberger sells its business linked to its activity known as the “Industrial Valves Department” to S.N.R.I. The former SEREG is replaced by the « Société Nouvelle de Robinetterie Industrielle », headed by Mr Flambry – 177 employees.
1988
Conquering new markets
SNRI is turning to export with the desire to increase the share of its turnover from 15% to 25%. Its first territories: the USSR (chemical and petrochemical sector), Egypt (valves for the construction of the Suez 3 thermal power station), China (valves for thermal power stations).
1990
Birth of SNRI Services
SNRI is expanding its activity by creating a subsidiary dedicated to the service: “SNRI SERVICES” (advice and assistance in unit start-up, on-line device expertise, repair, on-site control and maintenance of devices, training).
2000-2009
From Technor to Valco
In 2000, SNRI (and its subsidiary SNRI Services) were integrated into the Norwegian Technor group (owned by the Hitech Vision investment fund), to serve the European market in the cryogenic, energy, offshore oil and gas, and petrochemical sectors.
Technor acquired Malbranque in 2003, which itself bought the Norwegian company Westad in 2008.
The four companies form Valco, the valves department of the Technor group.
2010
Malbranque business transferred from Illies to Ruffec (SNRI)
SNRI is expanding its range with products from the historic Malbranque brand for Petrochemicals, Energy, Gas and Offshore cryogenics applications, and integrates ranges of devices into its offer.
2014
Hitech Vision revend à ARGOS SODITIC le groupe VALCO (SNRI, VVS, MALBRANQUE)
Wishing to constitute the first group of French faucets, in 2015 Guichon Valves (manufacturer of tailor-made industrial valves in Chambéry) joined the group.
2015
GUICHON joins the VALCO GROUP
In a desire to pool synergies, GUICHON joins the VALCO GROUP. The Group thus has two production sites in France.
2016
Quality of Life at Work Program
SNRI is launching a QWL program with the objectives of improving working conditions and maintaining company performance with a participatory approach by company employees (prevention, training, protection, communication on safety issues).
2017
SNRI invests
The company is equipping itself with 2 bunkers (investment of up to 350K €) to carry out “high pressure” gas and cryogenic tests with a remote control station.
2018
New identity for SNRI and the VALCO Group
The goal “to create a spirit of belonging shared between the different brands of the group, to express our dynamism and who we are: the expert in industrial valve solutions with recognized know-how of more than 90 years for some of our entities and present all over the world ”.
2019
Cross-functional sales strategy for all brands
Commercial development is entrusted transversally to the Valco group’s sales department, and at the same time SNRI is developing its international activity thanks to the group’s network of agents.
2021
VALCO GROUP celebrates its 100th anniversary
Thanks to an offer increasingly adapted to the needs of its customers, the Group is celebrating its centenary this year and thus confirms its presence as a French leader in the production of industrial valves.
